News in brief

Rise in number of violent attacks on Jews in the UK

Violent assaults on Jews reached a record level last year, the Community Security Trust said yesterday. The Jewish charity reported that the overall number of antisemitic incidents dropped slightly from the record 594 in 2006, but the long-term trend was upwards. There were 114 violent assaults. Most were opportunist attacks on Jewish people identifiable by their clothing. The victims included 14 children. The Orthodox communities in Salford, Bury and north London were particular targets. The war between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon contributed to the 2006 record. David Pallister

Flat shared by Beatles up for sale at £1.75m

A London flat once shared by the Beatles - the only home that all four lived in together - is for sale at £1.75m. The band rented the three-bedroom Mayfair property in 1963 after they had topped the charts with She Loves You and found it impossible to stay in hotels because of hordes of screaming fans. The band stayed for only a few months. Estate agent Peter Bevan of Sotheby's, which is selling the property, said the current owner lives in California and inherited the flat from a relative. "The owner is aware of its history, but hasn't turned it into a Beatles shrine or anything like that." Press Association

BBC's historic costume department closes

The BBC's historic costumes and wigs department ceased trading yesterday after a bid to buy the company fell through. After 50 years of building up around a million outfits and 10,000 hairpieces from some of the corporation's most famous shows, from Blackadder to Pride and Prejudice, Cranford and The Fast Show, the department's future is now in limbo. It is understood that a rival company was due to buy BBC Costume and Wigs this month but did not proceed with the first payment. There was also talk of a management buyout but that has not yet materialised either. It is now up for offer. Tara Conlan